Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

To agree requests to speak from Councillors who are not Members of the Committee, in accordance with Committee Procedure 4.1.

RESOLVED:  That, in accordance with Committee Procedure Rule 4.1, the following Councillors, who were not Members of the Committee, be allowed to speak on the agenda item indicated:

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that no interests were declared.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2012 and the special meeting held on 26 June 2012 (to follow) be taken as read and signed as correct records.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 June and special meeting held on 26 June 2012 be taken as read and signed as correct records.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents/organisations under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 17 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were put or deputations received.

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4B) of the Constitution.

Councillor Perry, on behalf of residents, submitted a petition of 33 signatures, in addition to previous petitions submitted, objecting with regard to Application 1/01 (Land rear of Headstone Drive), citing access and poor drainage.

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and considered as part of Application 1/01 (Land rear of Headstone Drive).

To receive references from Council and any other Committees or Panels (if any).

RESOLVED:  To note that there were none.

To confirm whether representations are to be received, under Committee Procedure Rule 18 (Part 4B of the Constitution), from objectors and applicants regarding planning applications on the agenda.

RESOLVED:  To note that no representations had been received.

Report of the Divisional Director, Planning - circulated separately.

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the Planning Protocol, where Councillors disagree with the advice of the Divisional Director, Planning, it will be the Members' responsibility to clearly set out the reasons for refusal where the Officer recommendation is for grant.  The planning reasons for rejecting the Officer's advice must be clearly stated, whatever the recommendation and recorded in the minutes.  The Officer must be given the opportunity to explain the implications of the contrary decision.

In accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the Addendum was admitted late to the agenda as it contained information relating to various items on the agenda and was based on information received after the despatch of the agenda.  It was admitted to the agenda in order to enable Members to consider all information relevant to the items before them for decision.

RESOLVED:  That authority be given to the Divisional Director of Planning to issue the decision notices in respect of the applications considered.

(APPLICATION 1/01) LAND REAR OF HEADSTONE DRIVE, WEALDSTONE 

Reference:  P/1265/12  (Headstone Developments Ltd).  Construction of 7 X 2 Storey Buildings for Storage and office Use (Class B8 / Class B1); Photovoltaic Panels on Roof; New Vehicle Access from Walton Road; Provision of 12 Parking Spaces, landscaping, refuse and cycle storage (Revised Application)

Officers introduced the report advising that a site visit had been held and referring the Committee to additional information contained within the Addendum.  It was noted that the application was in respect of a revised scheme of seven units  and 12 car parking spaces.

In addition to the petition submitted and additional letter of objection Councillor David Perry (Ward Councillor) spoke on the application expressing residents concerns that the proposals would result in increased traffic flow and noise, a loss of privacy and lead to security concerns for nearby properties.  He noted the location of a children’s nursery and scout hut within the immediate vicinity and questioned whether the proposed office space would meet identified needs, as other similar buildings remained unoccupied.  He emphasised the issues with regard to poor lighting and accessibility through the narrow alleyway and spoke of residents concerns about flooding.

Members discussed the application noting the following:

·                    The Grampian condition with regard to improvement of the access road, prior to construction commencing, was essential.

·                    Conditions 6 and 13 should also include an assurance to improve lighting levels for the access road as part of health and safety requirements.

·                    The highest anticipated use of the site would be 70 persons upon completion of the scheme.

·                    The number of vehicle movements had been assessed as acceptable by the Transport Department.

·                    The site would fall within the classification of Flood Zone 2 and the applicant would be required to demonstrate how they intended to deal with surface water as part of the application proposals.

·                    Annual monitoring of employment needs demonstrated a demand for small business and office units as proposed by the application.

A Member of the Committee moved Condition 13 be reworded to say:

(13)          No development shall take place until a construction method statement and plan for the formation and layout of the access road, including a low level lighting scheme, leading from Walton Road to the application site has been submitted in writing for approval to the local planning authority.  The formation and layout of the access road shall be completed in accordance with the approval details and thereafter retained in that form.

The motion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 295.

To arrange dates for Member site visits that have been agreed during the course of the meeting (if any).

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no site visits to be arranged.